Last offseason, extensions on the offensive side of the football were running wild. Quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence and Jordan Love, alongside wide receivers like CeeDee Lamb, were all getting big-money contracts. However, the focus of the NFL as a whole seems to have shifted to defense this summer.
The cream of the crop came thanks to Myles Garrett, whose extension temporarily made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in history. Cincinnati Bengals set the bar even higher just weeks after Garrett was paid, but he remains the highest-paid defensive player in the sport.
However, that status might change soon if Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons signs an extension. Garrett is all for Parsons getting the money he deserves.
Myles Garrett Gives Micah Parsons Seal Of Approval
Seven of the 10 largest contracts signed during the first two days of this year’s free agency went to defensive players. That was before Derek Stingley signed his historic three-year, $90 million contract, or Kerby Joseph became the highest-paid safety in the sport.
Garrett, after publicly demanding a trade from the Cleveland Browns, changed his mind and signed a four-year deal worth $160 million. Now, it might be Parsons’ turn, if the Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones ever gets around to it.
An infamous personality for dishing out contracts late in the year, Jones promised to make the lynchpin of his defense the highest-paid non-quarterback in history. However, this offseason, that asking price crossed the $40 million threshold thanks to Garrett.
But the former Defensive Player of the Year isn’t interested in keeping that top spot, at least for defensive players, after Ja’Marr Chase eclipsed his number. Instead, when asked by Abby Jones of DLLS Sports, he wanted the former Defensive Rookie of the Year to get his worth.
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Jones posted the clip on X, where Garrett says, “I think he deserves whatever he’s earned. Once I got the chance to train with him. Guy is special.” But the six-time Pro Bowler isn’t just speaking without evidence.
Myles Garrett’s contract set the market for non-quarterbacks.
I asked him what he thinks Micah Parsons deserves from the Dallas Cowboys:
“I think he deserves whatever he’s earned. Once I got the chance to train with him. I’ve seen his work ethic. I’ve seen how he attacks. The… pic.twitter.com/GyPgWaD2EQ
— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) June 15, 2025
“I’ve seen his work ethic. I’ve seen how he attacks. The weights, running. He’s 100% committed to his craft and getting better every day. He has that level of dedication to the game. He should get every penny he’s owed.”
It’s unclear when the Cowboys plan on extending their superstar edge rusher. Last season, both Lamb and Dak Prescott got their extensions very late in the offseason, with the latter signing his contract after the first Thursday Night Football game of the year had already concluded.
There is a possibility that Parsons has to wait a similarly long time. But, if and when that extension arrives, Jerry Jones will have to pay a pretty penny to keep one of the best defenders on the planet on his roster.
a Dallas Cowboys fan, since the 70’s as a Cowboys fan I don’t real think your worth $40 million or more a year